How to do a paint job?

Need to sort out my panels which have scrapes and Scratches on, as well as the plastic parts i.e mudguards and glove box area

which is the best way to do it?

Which sand paper, primer and paint should I use?

Do I need to prime the plastic parts?

Could I just buy the matching paint and touch up the scratched parts?

Thanks

 

personally id prepare it myself then let a paint shop do it but you'd need U-POL plastic primer , 180 or 300 sandpaper, U-POL filler (if needed)

 

Hey theyre, I have done spray painting before my self out of a can, its not the best of looking but makes it look better than scratches, first off id go to local diy shop and look at sandpaper id go for the lowest grade possible around 80ish sand scratches out and make smooth then go to higher grade such as 140 then to 200, Primering the plastic parts help the paint go on better and makes better finish, Get some white primer and give light coat about 3 layers, paint wise i get Plasti-kote from B&Q its really good quallity paint, When spraying paint put really light coats and about 3-5 layers, After putting the paint on you need to buy some Clear Lacquer, This stuff Puts a protective coating over your paint so doesnt ruin from rain and other weather conditions ect.

 

you can get a really good finish with shake cans if done right and you put the effort in its all in the prep bud yo also need a prep wipe so after sanding you can wipe the pannel down it takes all the dust and grease of that you cant get of buy just wiping it then you want atleast 2 coats of plastic primer i normally spray the first let it dry then get some wet and dry and rub it down again to get it nice and flat and smooth.then wipe over with the panel wipe then spray the second coat and if im happy then can start with the paint you want thin even left to right sprays dont get to close as it will clump and run same as dont get to far away as you will end up with dark and light patches about 1ft or 12" is about right then the way i do it is after the first coat some times it needs to be rubbed down with fine wet and dry sand paper but if the prep is done right with the primer it shouldnt need it. i normally do 3 layers of paint and 2 layers of clear coat the trick to a good finish isnt just good prep but heat i only ever spray when its warm or in a garage/shed with a heater i have never had a problem spraying on my back street in direct sun light aslong as the panel is warm and the sun is shining on it its always turned out fine.

ive done a full set of typhoon panels like that and they was like brand new

 

pretty much wat phil said ...but id warm it up in a pan of warm water ...it will make the spray less dense and more powerful and will give you much better results...

and if you do it right it you should spend 2/3 days altogather //ovbs depending on how much your doing but yea///most of tht is prep and a between each coat if you have a soft buffing wheel just buff it LIGHTLY and will make it shiny after you lacquer

 

most important bit bud is if you buy cheap you get cheap. spend a few quid extra on some decent spray and make sure you keep it well shaken also if you can spray of the ground its much much better as spraying on the floor blows dust about which then settles on your wet paint i stick a rope accross my back street if im spraying at home and hang the peices from that

 

Just dont be a tramp like me an use poundland gloss haha its shit! The primers decent but the paint dries like sandpaper

 

Try to make sure its warm where/when you spray. It makes the paint spread better on the surface of the panel and also stops blooming. If the surface is rough when finished and the paint is thick enough, sand the top coat down with 2000 grade wet & dry before applying the clearcoat. Then wet & dry the clear afterwards to give a smooth finish


You can get a decent finish with rattle cans buts its all about prep and patience

Heres some wheels my lad did last summer with cans

 

What brand of spray do you lot find is best?

 

the halfords range aint the cheapest but their paint is decent and the nozzles are great compared to the DIY paint cans

 

i hate halfords for paint match though try your nearest morelli paint and automotive repair supplier im using simoniz atm and it has a good finish

 

all the stuff i've used didnt have to match any original paint so it wasnt a problem but I see your point if matching up

If I match I buy from motor factors and then either use the gun or airbrush from the compressor

 

Ye either halfords paint is good, or Plasti-kote from B&Q

 

sounds like hard work to do but terr0 has made a nice guide... check it out

http://www.scootershack.co.uk/threads/guide-respraying-with-cans.64/